Jenny Rissveds dominates and wins the second XCO World Cup in Araxá

After the spectacle of Friday's Short Track, where Evie Richards took the victory, the elite women's XCO returned to the scene this Sunday in Araxá with a completely renewed route, more physically demanding and with more elevation gain than the one from last week. A hot and humid circuit where former Olympic champion Jenny Rissveds was by far the strongest.

Jenny Rissveds imposes her law in Araxá

The race, scheduled for 9 laps, started with New Zealander Samara Maxwell - the overall leader - taking the initiative and setting the pace of the group. The favorites were still riding together in the early stages.

It was Ronja Blöchlinger (LIV Factory Racing) who was the first to make a move, increasing the pace and selecting the leading group. Following her were figures like Loana Lecomte (BMC), Jenny Rissveds (Canyon), Alessandra Keller (Thömus Maxon), and Maxwell herself.

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But the race changed tone halfway through the second lap, when Jenny Rissveds made her move. The Swedish rider launched an explosive attack that only Lecomte and Maxwell could follow. Together, they opened a gap of 10 seconds that forced the chasing group to react, led at that time by Jennifer Jackson (Orbea FOX).

Shortly after, in the fourth lap, the leading group expanded to nine riders: the three escapees were joined by Richards, Jackson, Stigger, Lill, Frei, and Blöchlinger. The heat and humidity were starting to take their toll.

It was then that Rissveds changed the pace again. And this time, no one could follow her. In a matter of meters, she opened a gap of 12 seconds that would only increase. By the start of the sixth lap, she was already riding with over half a minute of advantage.

Behind, the surprise came with a name of its own: Tamara Wiedmann (Mondraker), who started from the 32nd position on the grid, staged an epic comeback to join the chasing group alongside Maxwell and Jackson. The battle for the podium heated up while Rissveds continued to do her thing, increasing her lead with strong pedal strokes and the composure worthy of an Olympic champion.

The last lap arrived with Rissveds managing a 40-second lead over her rivals. No one could threaten her.

The Swedish rider crossed the finish line alone, raising her arms and making it clear that she is back in the fight.

Results Top 10 of the second Araxá XCO World Cup 2025

1. Jenny Rissveds (Canyon CLLCTV XCO) - 1:26:59
2. Samara Maxwell (Decathlon Ford Racing Team) - +28s
3. Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing - Pirelli) - +34s
4. Jennifer Jackson (Orbea FOX Factory Team) - +37s
5. Tamara Wiedmann (Mondraker Factory Racing) - +44s
6. Loana Lecomte (BMC Factory Racing) - +1:01
7. Nicole Koller (Ghost Factory Racing) - +1:09
8. Nina Graf (Lapierre Racing Unity) - +1:19
9. Sina Frei (Specialized Factory Racing) - +1:25
10. Kelsey Urban (KMC Ridley MTB Racing Team) - +1:25

An epic race marked by the heat, the new course, and a masterful performance by Rissveds, who returns to the top in a circuit that demanded both strength and tactical intelligence.